The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-30
MILLIONAIRE CoRCORAN.
The Venerable Philanthropist Enters Upon
His Ninetieth Year of Life.


His Ninetieth Year of Life.
Washington Special
Yesterday, Mr.. w. W. Corcoran entered upon
his ninetieth year. Congratulations have poured
in upon him by telegraph and through the mails
His house is fragrant with the flowers which
have been sent to him. He has received calls
from large number of friends, and the observ-
ance of the day has been quite elaborate as it
was last year. or the year before. No en-
joyed the day more heartily than Mr. Corcoran
and his appreciation of the remembrance of his
friends just keen it has always been.
He has not. like most old men, lost his interest
in current affairs. or in the life about him. He
likes to see people and to talk with them.
He wants to hear what the world is
doing and saying. The infirmities of age are
upon him, as might be expected in one who has
lived to such an advanced time of life, but his
mental faculties bright and active as ever
Il am all right up here, he said in the course of
q pleasant chat, as he pointed to his head, but
my legs weak" Owing to this fact he is un-
able to move about freely he has been ac-
customed to. and when he goes out, he does
nearly every day, he is assisted to his carriage.
With this exception, he seems to be well
he has been for some time and that fact seems
to be gratifying to him.
II have lived great many years." said he.
Very few are living now who alive when
was born. 1t is rare for men to reach such an
age. Not more than one in 2, 600 survive. When
look back over my life it does not seem far
back; but when l go back into the past and can
remember circumstances and events that
CURED when was SIX years of age, and think
that 1t was in the year 1904, then it does seem
to me long time. l have lived here all nv
life, and was born within mile of where l
now reside. l think of the past great deal
now, and many things which had not thought
of for years come TO mind 1t is a habit of old
men. they say. to live more in the past than in
the present; but am interested in the present,
in the everyday occurrences. [ like to see my
friends and talk to them; it seems that am
not an old man in that respect"
Some reference was made to MIR. George Ban
croft the historian, who lives the same street
few doors from MIR. Corcoran's residence.
Yes he is younger than l am" observed Mr..
Corcoran, and then added: He was born in
October, 1900, and is just year and ten
months younger than |. He comes in to see me
quite often. and l tell him." he said, smiling,
that he has gotten ahead of me, for he is able
to move about while have to have assistance"
Mr.. Bancroft's habits of taking horseback
rides was spoken of, and Mr. Corcoran said that
he used to enjoy horseback riding but that he
had been unable to take that kind of exercise for
twelve years Il think" he went on, that
Mr. Bancroft is too old to ride horseback and
/ tell him so but / believe he doesn't agree
with me-" and Mr.. Corcoran laughed as if he
was not at all offended at his old friends indie
pendence. Mr.. Corcorau was lying in bed whom
conversing with his visitors. OF late years it
has been his habit to lie In bed rather late in
the morning He arises in time to get midday
dinner and then generally rides out either to
make a call or to attend to business. He likes
to have his friends come in the afternoon. and
very frequently he gives dinner parties His
household now consists of his niece. Miss Jones,
and his grandson, Mr.. William Justice His
granddaughter Miss Eustice IS now living in
New York, but came on to spend the birthday
anniversary with her grandfather. Mr.. Corco-
is bright and entertaining host. He likes
conversation and is a good talker. This is due
perhaps in a great degree to the aertness of his
mental facnlties. In this respect those who
knom him best say that he is strong as he
was fifty years ago. His grasp of the details of
his large and diverse interests is q OF
constant establishment to all who knew him. He
directs and controls to-day, just he has always
been accustomed to- He is made familiar with
even the slightest details of his business, and
when he does not ride down to his Office his sec
rotary comes to him. This active interest in
current affairs is not confined to his business.
lie oestows the same and attention upon
the institutions in which he is interested and
upon the many public and private affairs which
demand share of the time and attention of a
man of his position and influence. He has not
cut himself loose as most men do long before
they have reached his age, from the affairs which
would seem to impose too great burden upon